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Enhanced cross-recognition of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant by peptide vaccine-induced antibodies

Authors :
Belén Aparicio
Marta Ruiz
Noelia Casares
Leyre Silva
Josune Egea
Patricia Pérez
Guillermo Albericio
Mariano Esteban
Juan García-Arriaza
Juan J. Lasarte
Pablo Sarobe
Source :
Frontiers in Immunology, Vol 13 (2023)
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
Frontiers Media S.A., 2023.

Abstract

Current vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, based on the original Wuhan sequence, induce antibodies with different degrees of cross-recognition of new viral variants of concern. Despite potent responses generated in vaccinated and infected individuals, the Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant causes breakthrough infections, facilitating viral transmission. We previously reported a vaccine based on a cyclic peptide containing the 446-488 S1 sequence (446-488cc) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein from Wuhan isolate. To provide the best immunity against Omicron, here we compared Omicron-specific immunity induced by a Wuhan-based 446-488cc peptide, by a Wuhan-based recombinant receptor-binding domain (RBD) vaccine and by a new 446-488cc peptide vaccine based on the Omicron sequence. Antibodies induced by Wuhan peptide 446-488cc in three murine strains not only recognized the Wuhan and Omicron 446-488 peptides similarly, but also Wuhan and Omicron RBD protein variants. By contrast, antibodies induced by the Wuhan recombinant RBD vaccine showed a much poorer cross-reactivity for the Omicron RBD despite similar recognition of Wuhan and Omicron peptide variants. Finally, although the Omicron-based 446-488cc peptide vaccine was poorly immunogenic in mice due to the loss of T cell epitopes, co-immunization with Omicron peptide 446-488cc and exogenous T cell epitopes induced strong cross-reactive antibodies that neutralized Omicron SARS-CoV-2 virus. Since mutations occurring within this sequence do not alter T cell epitopes in humans, these results indicate the robust immunogenicity of 446-488cc-based peptide vaccines that induce antibodies with a high cross-recognition capacity against Omicron, and suggest that this sequence could be included in future vaccines targeting the Omicron variant.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
16643224
Volume :
13
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Frontiers in Immunology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.6eeb1262c3448e28351a2b77e173722
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.1044025